Chimney ventilator



y 1947- G. F. ZUCKER CHIMNEY VENTILATQR Filed Jan 10, 1945 Patented July 8, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CHIMNEY VENTILATOR Gottlieb F. Zucker, Chicago, 111. Application January 10, 1945, Serial No. 572,156 8 Claims. (01. 98-66) The present invention relates to ventilators and more particularly to a chimney ventilator or similar structure.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved efiicient relatively simple and inexpensive ventilator particularly adapted for chimneys having no moving parts or elements.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a ventilator of improved construction for creating a vacuum on the side of the ventilator opposite to the side against which the wind may be blowing for drawing air or smoke out of the ventilator.

. It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a ventilator which substantially prevents down-drafts and which is relatively simple to affix to a chimney.

Other and further objects of the present invention subsequently will become apparent by reference to the followin description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein Figure 1 is a perspective view of a ventilator embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side view of the ventilator shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view as seen in the direction of the arrows along the line 33 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a mounting collar for the present invention;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the removable door of the device shown in Figures 1 and 2; and

Figure 6 is an enlarged cross sectional view of one of the vertical V strips.

The draft efficiency of a chimney, particularly a rectangular or square chimney, varies in accordance with the direction of the wind. The wind in a certain direction may cause a, back draft in the chimney thus reducing the efficiency thereof and causing incomplete combustion thereby producing smoke and unburned particles of fuel to accumulate in the chimney, in the furnace, and also to filter through cracks or seams in the chimney into the interior of the building.

To obviate the above mentioned disadvantage, 7

it has heretofore been proposed to utilize ventilators of various types having movable elements such as dampers operated in response to the wind pressure. Such moving elements have a relatively short life due to the movement and to the heat to which the elements are subjected, and furthermore are not efiicient. Since such movable elements or devices require frequent repair and readjustment it is desired to obviate such elements.

In accordance with the present invention an efiicient ventilator structure is provided having no moving parts and yet being capable of ready manufacture and assembly upon the building structure such as the chimney with which it is to be employed.

Figure 1 shows a chimney l0 having the usual cap ll upon which is positioned a housing [2 usually secured to the headstone H in any suitable manner. The housing l2 over a substantial portion of its area is punched or pressed into a plurality of vertical elements l3 in the form of a plurality of parallel strips. The upper portion of the housing I2 is imperforate so as to form a substantially continuous band or border l4 above which is supported a cover plate I5 by suitable supporting straps or members It. The cover plate l5 has an area substantially greater than the cross sectional area of the housing 12. Spaced a short distance above the cover plate [5 is an auxiliary plate I! secured by suitable means such as the bolts l8. The auxiliary plate I! is spaced from the main cover plate [5 by a vertical wall structure I 9 which is set inwardly from the outer edges of the plate I! a short distance. The vertical wall structure l9 beneath the auxiliary plate I! produces an effect of creating on the leeward side a vacuum or suction action to assist in drawing out the air and smoke from within the housing l2.

As may be seen from Figures 1, 2, and 3 the vertical strips l 3 with the exception of the corner pieces are formed so as to have a generally V- shaped cross section. The bottom of the V, as may be seen from Figure 6, is rounded so as to provide an improved action in the wind. This rounded bottom shape offers reduced resistance to the outward passage of the smoke and thus facilitates egress of smoke from the structure. It also smoothly redirects outwardly, wind tending to enter the structure from the outside, thus increasing resistance to the entrance of approaching wind into the structure, and aiding in drawing the smoke therefrom. The width of the strips I3 is such that when'they are formed into a V- 7 tier 32.

3 shaped cross section the relatively narrow openings 2! are provided between adjacent strips it. In order to facilitate the manufacture of the present device three sides of the housing 52 are formed of a single piece of material so as to form all four corners of the housing l2. At each of the four corners of the housing l2, the corner vertical strip 22 is arranged at such an angle to the plane of the vertical strip so that the outer edges thereof substantially coincide with a plane passing through the outer edge of the V -shaped strips it. Thus the openings adjacent the corner members I2 with respect to the adjacent vertical strips iii are, no greater than the openings be-' tween two \l shaped strips 13. If, therefore, the wind is from one side of the housing H2 or at an angle relative to two sides of the housin I2, the corner strip 22 prevents the wind from readily entering the openings between the vertical'strips; Thus there is prevented the creationof even a partial down-draft action by the wind, I v

In order to facilitate the installation ofthe ventilator l2 on the cap H of the chimney if! one side of the housing i2 is formed as a removable panel or door 23 having a lowerportion 24 corresponding to the lower portion of the housing l2, and an upper portion 25 correspon in to the upper portionlof the housing l2. Adjacent the upper edge of the lower and upper portions 24 and 25 respectively are a plurality of m embers 26 arranged to engag'ethe interconnecting portion betfweeh two parallel side walls. After the hooks 26 have been placedin position a suitable screw member 21 is arranged to engage a threaded aperture to retain positively in. position the removable door or side wall 23. The removable door-or side wall 23 facilitatejsthe installation of the housing l2 on the corner H. The housing l2 adjacent its lower portion is provided withinward'ly projecting portions such as the corrugation 20 as seen in Figure 1 or inwardly extending angle irons 28 asseen in Figures 2 and 3. These inwardly projecting members 27 or 28 are arranged to cooperate with an adjustable collar shown in perspective in Figure 1 and in cross section in Figures 2 and 3. The adjustable colla'r'sl is formed'fof four angle iron shaped members 29 each provided with a horizontal slot 3| for-receiving a suitable 'bolt or fastening mem- The collar formed of the'mem'bers 29 therefore is arranged for adjustable positioning within the interior of the chimneycap "II in the manner shown in Figurez from which it will be apparent that the fastening bolts 23 rest upon the top surface of the cap H. After the rectangular collar shown in Figure 4 has been positioned as shown in Figures 2 and 3 concrete or cement is "poured in between the collar 29 and the lower portion of the side walls of the housing i2 so as to engage either the inwardly "projecting member 21 or 28. Thereafter the remov'able. side wall 23 is placed in position and the ventilator i2 is in readiness for operation.

It has been found that a ventilator of the structure shown 'and described substantially prevents the creation of any back-draft within the ventilator or within the "chimney as connected thereto regardless of the direction in which the wind may be blowing in any instance. While for the purpose of illustrating and describing the invention a rectangular ventilator has been shown,

it of course will be appreciated that any other shaped ventilator may be employed while embodyin the "same principles of invention. For

example the ventilator maybe circular or of other cross sectional shape, and the wind in .passing about or away from the ventilator creates a vacuum which causes the air or smoke to be drawn out of the ventilator on the side at which the vacuum is created. This of course assists a steady how of the smoke or heated gas out of the ventilator and chimney. It has been noted that the vertical walls l9 provided between the upper and lower plates 55 and H enhance or improve the chance of creating a partial vacuum to facilitate the ventilating action.

By providing a. ventilator of the type shown having a substantial portion of the vertical wall area divided into vertical parallel strips, a larger portion of which are each formed into members having a substantially V-shaped cross section, the passage of the wind into the chimney opening is substantially prevented. The openings between adjacent strips preferably is but a fractional portion of the width of the strips. From the foregoing description it will be appreciated that there 7 'hasbeen provided an efiicient chimney ventilator which is relatively simple to manufacture and install and in which there are no moving parts or elements so that the useful life of the ventilator is limited only by the corrosive action of the smoke or heated gases flowing out of the chimney.

While for the purpose of illustratihg and describing the present invention 'a' preferred embodiment'ha's been shown in the drawing, it is to be understood that thei'nve'ntion is not to be limited thereby since such modifications in the form, construction and the arrangement of the parts is contemplated as is apparent from the spirit and scope of the invention set forth in the accompanyin claims. 7

This invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. A generally rectangular chimney ventilator comprising a housing having vertical walls, the major portion of the area of each of said walls being punched into a plurality of parallel vertical strips, one strip at each corner being arranged at an angle of substantially forty-five 'degreesrela- 'tive to the side walls, the remaining parallel vertical strips each being formed so as 'to havc a substantially V-shaped cross section -with the edges thereof directed outwardly from said housing to provide ventilating openings between adjacent strips said openings beings. fractional part of the width of said strips, the'edges of said-strips extendin substantially to the planes interconnecting the corner strips, a cover plate for said housing mounted in spaced a'part relation to the top thereof, said plate having an "area greater than the horizontal cross s'ection of said housing, an auxiliary plate "of smaller size mounted 'a bo ve said first plate in spaced relation thereto, *and vertical wall means interconnect-ing'said "upper and lower plates. H

I 2. A chimney ventilator c mprisin a housing having vertical walls, the major portion of each of said side walls being punched intoa plurality of parallel vertical strips each 'forr'ned so' as to have a substantially V-shape'd cross section with the edges thereof directed outward-ly from said housing to provide relatively narrow ventilating openings therebetweenp an adjustable rectangularcoll'ar adapted to be mounted withirrand adjacent to the top surface of the chimney; means extending inwardly from the lower portion of the vertical side walls of the housing connected with said colla'r to anchor said housing to a chimney, a cover plate of substantially greater area than thehorizont'al' area of said housing mounted in spaced relation to the top thereof, an auxiliary platel'oi ,smaller size mounted above saidfirst 'platein spaced relation thereto, and vertical wall 3. .A generallyrectangular chimney ventilator comprising a housing having vertical walls, three of said walls'being formed of an integral sheet of material so as to form; the four corners of said side walls, the majorportion of said sheet of material being punched into a plurality of parallel vertical strips, the vertical strip at each corner being arranged at equal angles to adjacent walls, the remaining parallel vertical strips each being formed so as to have substantially V-shaped cross sections with the edges thereof being directed outwardly from said housing substantially to a plane interconnecting the corner strips, said strips having relatively narrow ventilating openings therebetween of the order of a fractional part of the width of said strips, a, removable wall mem- 1 ber for the remaining wall of said housing, said removable member having a substantial portion of the area thereof punched into a plurality of similarly arranged and shaped parallel vertical strips, a cover plate for said housing mounted in spaced relation to the top thereof, said cover plate having an area substantially greater than the horizontal cross section of said housing, an auxiliary plate of smaller size mounted above said first plate in spaced relation thereto, vertical wall means interconnecting said upper and lower plates, said vertical wall means being positioned inwardly from the outer edge of said auxiliary plate, an adjustable rectangular collar adapted to be mounted within and adjacent to the surface of the chimney, and means extending inwardly from the lower portion of said housing for engagement by concrete to be placed between said collar and the inside of the lower portion of said housing thereby to anchor said housing to a chimney.

4. A generally rectangular ventilator for a chimney comprising a housing having vertical walls, the major portion of the area of each of said walls being punched into a plurality of parallel vertical strips, the corner strip at the juncture of said walls being relatively flat and having its edges extending outwardly, the remaining vertical strips each being formed so as to have a substantially V-shaped cross section with the edges thereof directed outwardly from said housing and extending substantially to the plane interconnecting the edges of the corner strips, at least two of said vertical walls having adjacent the lower portion thereof inwardly extending members adapted to cooperate in securing the ventilator to a chimney, and an adjustable rectangular collar adapted to be mounted within and adjacent to the top surface of the chimney whereby said collar, said inwardly extending portions of said walls, and the top of said chimney may be held together by an interconnecting mass such as concrete.

5. A generally rectangular ventilator for a chimney comprising a housing having vertical walls, said walls having upper and lower margin portions, the portion intermediate said upper and lower margin portions being punched into a plurality of parallel vertical strips, the corner strip between adjacent walls being flat and arranged at an angle of substantially forty five degrees to the planes of the adjacent side walls, the remaining vertical strips each being formed so as to? have a substantially V-shaped cross section with the edgesthereof directed outwardly from said housingv to provide relatively narrow ventilating openings between adjacent strips, the edges of said sections extending substantially to planes interconnecting the outer edges of the corner strips.

6. A generally rectangular ventilator for a chimney comprising a housing having vertical walls, said walls havingupper and lower marin porti0ns,the portion intermediate said upper and lower margin portions being punched into a p ur lity of p ra 1e ..,v n s he corner strip between adjacent walls being flat and arranged at an angle of substantially forty five degrees to theplanes of the adjacent side walls, the remaining vertical strips each being formed so as to have a substantially V-shaped cross section with the edges thereof directed outwardly from said housing to provide relatively narrow ventilating openings between adjacent strips, the edges of said sections extending substantially to planes interconnecting the outer edges of the corner strips, an adjustable rectangular collar adapted to be mounted within and adjacent to the top surface of a chimney, and means extending inwardly from the lower portion of said housing for engagement by concrete to be placed between said collar and the inside of the lower portion of said housing thereby to anchor said housing to a chimney.

'7. A generally rectangular chimney ventilator comprising a housing having vertical walls, three of said walls being formed of an integral sheet of material, the major portion of said sheet of material between upper and lower border portions being punched into a plurality of parallel vertical strips, the vertical strip at each of the four corners of said housing being arranged at an angle of substantially forty five degrees to adjacent walls, the remaining parallel vertical strips each being formed so as to have substantially V-shaped cross sections with the edges thereof directed outwardly from said housing to provide relatively narrow ventilating openings therebetween of the order of a fractional part of the width of said strips, the edges of said V-shaped cross section formed strips in each wall being substantially in the plane interconnecting the edges of the corner strips, a removable wall member for the remaining wall of said housing, said removable member between the border portions thereof being punched into a plurality of parallel vertical strips each shaped so as to have a substantially V-shaped cross section, an adjustable rectangular collar adapted to be mounted within and adjacent to the top of the chimney, and means extending inwardly from the lower portions of said housing for engagement by concrete to be placed between said collar and the inside of the lower portion of said housing thereby to anchor said housing to a chimney.

8. A generally rectangular ventilator for a chimney comprising a housing having vertical walls each having upper and lower margin portions, the portion intermediate said upper and lower margin portions being punched into a plurality of parallel vertical strips, the corner strip between adjacent walls being flat and arranged at an angle of substantially forty-five degrees to the planes of the adjacent side wall, the remaining strips each being formed so as to have a generally V-shaped cross section with a rounded bottom and straight sides, the edges of said sides being directed outwardly from said housing to provide relatively narrow ventilating openings" between adjacent strips, said edges extending substantially to planes interconnecting the outer edges of the corner strips.

' GOT'ImE-B F. ZUCKER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

Number.

Number i 8 Name Date Bailey Mar. 14, 1871 Hilt Oct.'10, 1933 Breidert Jan 13, 1942 Oldershaw Oct, 4, 1892 Lincoln Feb. 11, 1908 Giguere 1 Nov. 1 3, 1928 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain 1900 

